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MT News - March 2009 - How Likely Is A GM-Chrysler Merger

From the Inside Out

Mini Truckin', March 01, 2009

How Likely Is A GM-Chrysler MergerCerberus LLC, the New York-based private-equity company that runs Chrysler is prepared to take what is described as a significant stake in any new auto company that may be created by merging General Motor and Chrysler. Many observers had concluded that Cerberus believed they had been burned after buying an 80.1% stake in the struggling No. 3 automaker in 2007. At one point, there was speculation that Cerberus was trying to find a way to unload its ownership in the car company. However, an executive familiar with the talks tells TIME that Cerberus is not preparing to walk away from its investment. "They're long-term investors. They would want to keep a meaningful stake in the combined companies," said the executive. A merger, however, may also be the best way for Cerberus to make good of a bad situation.

How Far Will Gas Prices Drop?As oil edges closer to $60 a barrel, the Energy Department said that pump prices continued an unprecedented free fall from their all-time highs recorded this past summer.

The price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell on average 25.8 cents over the last week to a national average of $2.656, marking the first time all year that the price dropped below 2007 levels, according to the Energy Department's survey of filling stations. A year ago, the national average was $2.872 a gallon. Great news for most of us, because we are finally feeling a bit of freedom at the pump and able to travel further to shows. However, how low will it go, and are gas prices going to stay this way?

Fast 411Iceland consumes more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation.

More intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

All 50 states claim that test scores in their elementary schools are above national average.

The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League All-Star Game.